Ultimate Guide to the 2023 Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween Party at Disney California Adventure Park

The spookiest season is upon us, and there’s no better place to celebrate than at the 2023 Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween Party at Disney California Adventure Park. To help you make the most of this thrilling event, we’ve put together the ultimate guide filled with tips on attractions, rare villain character encounters, exclusive merchandise, arrival information, and more. Let’s dive into the enchantment!

Best Insider Tips to  prepare for the Oogie Boogie Bash and how to get the most out of your visit in Disney California Adventure Park 

• Bring your own candy bags to the party because the one’s they provide are very small for the amounts they give out during the treat trails. They give out quality chocolates and candies so get your money’s worth! Besides you can go in these trails AS MANY TIMES AS YOU WANT! Naturally this makes it a fan favorite with the kids. 
  
• Dressing up is always fun and it increases the chances of amazing interactions with characters around the park. But be sure you are following Disney’s policies for dressing up in costume otherwise you risk being turned away at the gate and having to find an alternative outfit to enter. If you have concerns about whether what you have is appropriate or not check out their policies listed online and have back up clothing just in case.
  
• Consider walking through Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel and Spa if you’re staying at any nearby hotel rather than going through the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure. This can save you some time! 
  
• Before you arrive for the Oogie Boogie Bash consider eating your meal! Most people will often prefer to spend their time on meeting rare characters, going on attractions or watching the parades. But also keep in mind that if you have dining reservations that your strategy for doing other must do’s on your list will look a bit different.
  
• Arrive early for check in if you can do the premix at 3pm. This will reduce your wait time in line to grab your wristband for the event. Do not under any circumstance take this wristband off because it serves as a visual cue for cast members to allow you to roam the parks and filter out guests who do not have admission into this After Dark Event for the Oogie Boogie Bash. You will notice that the wristband will have a unique QR code for you to scan PhotoPass images with, but if you’re wearing your Magic Band+ it will also work for the pictures.
  
• If you would like grab a park guide map when you enter the park so you can keep track of where you’re going but I tend to use the Disneyland app. Feel free to use this article as well for a reference since I’ve organized for you and it is search friendly. 
  
• If your goal is to see rare Disney characters or villains I would make a list of your top 3 favorites to go to first! The time flies by and the lines can be pretty long. Some people like to line up first thing when they enter the parks to ensure they see their favorites but depending on the time you arrive the wait time may be long. 
  
• If attractions are your goal, I would go on 1 or 2 of your favorite attractions before the party even begins. This way when the event opens officially at 6pm you can go on the popular Guardians of the Galaxy Monsters After Dark as soon as it becomes available. You can’t get in line before the party in case you were wondering. 
  
• Villains Grove is not a treat trail but it is a nice way to slow down and take in some special effects and sounds. If you aren’t wanting to watch the parades you might consider going here instead. This area can get pretty packed at the end of the night.
  
• The Frightful Fun Parade is a fun show to see because it is exclusive to the Oogie Boogie Bash party, it’s something I personally enjoy watching rather than getting on attractions but keep in mind I do have a magic key pass which is why this is more my personal preference. I feel that most people try to watch the first show but I think you’ll be fine watching either show time it just depends on what your plans are (e.g., preferring dining, seeing characters, going on rides etc). 

1. Arriving on Time is Crucial

The pre-mix event for the Oogie Boogie Bash starts at 3:00 pm, but if you wish to enter either of the Disney parks earlier in the day, you’ll need a valid admission ticket and a reservation for entry (unless you have a park hopper ticket or Magic Key pass).

2. Exclusive Merchandise for Magic Key Holders

Disney has released exclusive merchandise through their partnership with Loungefly for Magic Key holders during the Oogie Boogie Bash! Look out for limited-edition Disney villain tee shirts and Disney pins. Don’t worry if you’re not a Magic Key holder; there are still plenty of exclusive items for everyone that does include pins, mugs, shirts and more.

You see a piece of Oogie Boogie Bash merchandise that you really like, I recommend buying it immediately because they can and do sell out fast!

3. What Disney Villain Characters will be at the Oogie Boogie Bash this year in 2023 at Disney California Adventure Park?

Here is a list of locations for the Disney Villain meet and greet characters you can expect to see at the Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween Party in Disney California Adventure Park in 2023:

• At Hyperion Theater Queue see Ernesto De La Cruz (Pixar’s Coco). There will be American Sign Language interpreters available from 1:00 am-1:30 am here.
• At Hollywood Backlot stage see Cruella (Live-action) 
• At Toy Story Midway Mania see Lotso  
• At the Ancient Sanctum in Avengers Campus see Agatha Harkness (WandaVision)
• At Grizzly Peak see Bruno (Encanto)
• At Bountiful Hideaway Valley see Madame Mim (Sword in the Stone) 
• At Paradise Pier in front of the water, see King Mickey, Donald, and Goofy (Kingdom Hearts)
• At Stage 12 near Monster’s Inc, we see The Sanderson Sisters represented by Minnie Mouse, Daisy Duck, and Clarabelle Cow 
• At San Fransokyo Square see Yokai (Big Hero 6)
• Behind Soarin’ Around the World see Judge Doom (Who Framed Roger Rabbit)
• At the Pixar Bandstand near Mickey’s Fun Wheel see Sid (Toy Story)
• At Grizzly Peak Trail Behind Grizzly River Run see Mother Gothel (Tangled) 
• Inside the Animation Lobby near Off the Page see Oogie Boogie (The Nightmare Before Christmas). There will be American Sign Language interpreters available from 12:30 am -1:30 am here.
• Near Carthay Circle near the fountain, see Prince Hans (Frozen), Sheriff of Nottingham (Robinhood), and the evil hag (Snow White). They switch out and rotate throughout the night.

Please note that Maleficent will not be present this year nor Dr. Facilier from Princess in the Frog as part of the meet and greets, though they did grace the Oogie Boogie Bash last year.

4. Treat Trails and Immersive Experiences

Treat trails will be open from 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Most treat trails are immersive, offering an unforgettable experience. The only non-immersive treat trail is located at Paradise Gardens Park.

5. Explore Villains Grove

Villains Grove at Oogie Boogie Bash is a captivating experience where you’ll discover a complete transformation of Redwood Creek Challenge Trail by some of your beloved Disney villains, turning the forest into a grove lit up with with mystical lights, captivating sights, and spooky sounds.

As you step through the arched entrance, you’ll see a world of twisting vines and roots, where each misty turn reveals the captivating realms conjured by popular Disney villains, including Dr. Facilier, Frollo, Scar, the Wicked Queen, and more. Prepare to be enchanted by the moonlit magic that awaits adventurers of all ages. Here’s a sneak peek of the enchanting experiences you’ll encounter:

1. Frollo’s Sanctuary: Journey into an ethereal cathedral of trees filled with the fragrance of incense and echoing with haunting chants.
2. Maleficent’s Will: Roam through a region adorned with eerie ravens, thorn-covered vines, and a spellbinding waterfall that cascades with a mesmerizing array of colors.
3. Queen of Hearts Garden: Stroll through a charming garden where roses miraculously transform from white to red before your very eyes, just as the Queen of Hearts desires.
4. Scar’s Elephant Graveyard: Descend into a vast expanse resonating with the wicked laughter of hyenas, recreating the iconic setting from “The Lion King.”
5. Dr. Facilier’s Friends on the Other Side: Summoned from realms beyond, shadowy hands and vibrant spells entice Guests deeper into the grove’s most mysterious corners.
6. The Wicked Queen’s Lightning Forest: Come see the forest come alive as an electrifying storm illuminates branch after branch in a dazzling display.
7. Home of the Wisps: Observe these ethereal winged guardians as they skillfully guide Guests to safety within a realm of boundless light and wonder.
8. Dawn: Make your escape just in the nick of time as flickering lanterns lead the way toward a radiant sunrise, marking the conclusion of this enchanting journey.

Prepare to be thrilled as you explore the Villains Grove at Oogie Boogie Bash and the transformed Redwood Creek Challenge Trail, where Disney’s best-loved baddies have left their mark and where magical surprises await adventurers of all ages. Don’t miss this extraordinary experience!

6. See the Frightfully Fun Parade at Disney California Adventure Park during the Oogie Boogie Bash

This parade will take place twice each night. The first show happens at 7:50 pm and the second show happens at 10:05 pm. During this parade you will Disney characters like the “schoolmaster Ichabod Crane, the eerie Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, Jack Skellington, Sally, The Mayor from Halloween Town, Haunted Mansion hitchhiking ghosts, Cruella, Ursula, and many other frightfully fun Disney Villains! You can sit alongside the sidewalks near Pixar Pier!

If you have questions about where you can stay seated see a cast member. If you have booked a dining package you will receive a voucher with information on where you will go and at what time to be there by to view this show. This show lasts approximately 20 minutes.

7. Picture-Perfect Photo Backdrops

Capture the magic of the night at 19 incredible photo backdrops spread throughout the park, including the Sanderson Museum, Headless Horseman Statue, Grizzly Peak, San Fransokyo Square, Pixar Pier, Cars Land, Avengers Campus, and Hollywood Land. If you have a Magic Band+, bring it along for easy photo scanning through the Disney Mobile App. Otherwise, you’ll receive a PhotoPass card that requires more steps and can be easily misplaced.

8. Disney’s PhotoPass Policy

Disney’s PhotoPass captures memories from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM during the party. You can download photos from your Disney account up to 45 days after initial capture. Be sure to review Disney’s PhotoPass terms and conditions and the expiration policy. Online registration is required, and photos must be linked to your Disney account for downloading.

9. Transportation Details

If you plan to use Disney transportation, Mickey and Friends and Pixar Pals Parking structure trams, as well as Toy Story Parking lot shuttles, will operate until midnight or one hour after Disneyland Park closes, whichever is later. Check online or with cast members for any updates during your visit.

10. Food at the Oogie Boogie Bash

The Halloween Party lasts from 6pm to 11pm, but many of the restaurants and dining places close at or around 9:30pm so be sure to schedule your dinner plans accordingly. I recommend mobile ordering your food beforehand to ensure you won’t accidentally waste too much of the limited event time waiting in line for food when you could be exploring other aspects of the park during the party.

For those of you who want more of an inclusive dining experience during the Oogie Boogie Bash, check out the Oogie Boogie Bash Parade Dining Package at Wine Country Trattoria for a full meal as well as exclusive seating to see the parade!

11. Costume Guidelines

Disney has strict rules regarding costumes for the Oogie Boogie Bash. These guidelines apply throughout the event and are subject to change without notice. Disney’s website has the following statement listed for costumes: “While we encourage creativity, we also value safety and good judgment. Our costume guidelines apply throughout the duration of the event. There are specific costume guidelines for special events such as Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party. “

• Costumes must be family-friendly and not obstructive, offensive, or violent.
• Masks may not cover the entire face, except for medical purposes.
• Costumes should not contain weapons or sharp objects. Costumes may not contain any weapons that resemble or could easily be mistaken for an actual weapon. Costumes may not contain sharp objects, pointed objects or materials that may accidentally strike another Guest.
• Capes should not extend below the waist for guests aged 14 and older.
• All Guests may dress as their favorite character, but may not pose for pictures or sign autographs for other Guests.
• Layered costumes or costume props that surround the entire body are strongly discouraged and may be subject to additional security screening.

2023 Costume Guidelines for Guests Ages 13 and Under attending Disney’s After Dark Event the Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween Party in Disney California Adventure 

Costumes and some masks may be worn, as long the mask does not cover the entire face and eyes are visible.

2023 Costume Guidelines for Guests Ages 14 and Older attending Disney’s After Dark Event the Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween Party in Disney California Adventure 

• Capes may be worn if the length does not go below the waist.
• Themed T-shirts, blouses, sweatshirts and hats are acceptable.
• Acceptable accessories include: transparent wings, plastic Lightsabers, toy swords and tutus.
• Headwear may be worn as long as it does not cover the face.
• Masks of any kind may not be worn, except for medical purposes.
• Guests who do not adhere to these guidelines may be refused entry into, and/or removed from, the event, unless his or her costume can be modified to meet the above standards.  
• Costumes may not reach or drag on the ground (e.g., full-length Princess dresses).

“The above costume guidelines apply throughout the duration of Oogie Boogie Bash – A Disney Halloween Party and/or other costumed events. Please note: all rules, regulations and guidelines are subject to change without notice.” Be sure to visit their website before you attend as there may be changes made to their terms without notice.

Keep in mind that the weather is significantly warmer in September than it is in October so if you are attending the Oogie Boogie Bash in September, it may be more comfortable to opt for a simpler costume with less layers so you don’t melt.

12. Sold Out Event

Please note that the Oogie Boogie Bash Halloween Party is a SOLD OUT event for 2023. Tickets are no longer available, even for Disney hotel guests. Do not purchase any tickets via resellers as they are not valid! Read all about it here

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